“Maybe 2014. We’re looking around.” That was the teasing words of All Tomorrows Parties promoter Barry Hogan, who late last month confirmed that the festival was looking at planning more ATP events for Australia. And while we’d all crossed our fingers for something in the near future after the success of The Drones-curated I’ll Be Your Mirror event last month in Altona, we didn’t think it’d be this soon!
The legendary Release The Bats festival, a halloween themed special courtesy of the folks at ATP, has taken place from London to New York and seen some of music’s biggest players like Battles and Liquid Liquid, and is now heading to Melbourne for a one-day special event on October 26th.
Headlining Release The Bats will be the iconic Kim Deal-fronted 90s noise-punk group The Breeders, and having managed to talk them into putting on their floaties for a Last Splash in the UK, ATP decided it would be a good idea to spread the love and talk them into coming down to perform at the Westgate Entertainment Centre and Grand Star reception in Altona, Melbourne – the site of the recent two-day I’ll Be Your Mirror festival co-curated by The Drones.
The Breeders will be headlining the inaugural Release The Bats Melbourne and will be performing Last Splash, their second album – which gave the world such amazing hits as ‘Cannonball’ and ‘Divine Hammer’ upon release in 1993 – in its entirety.
In keeping with all things spooky, Austin’s own noise-punk favourites The Jesus Lizard will have the core of your very being will be assaulted by their audio maelstrom. The folks at ATP have promised that they will “summon five kinds of hell, and unleash raw, dark forces that will confront your psyche. They promise the sonic equivalent of staring at the sun.”Headlining Release The Bats will be the iconic Kim Deal-fronted 90s noise-punk group The Breeders… performing Last Splash, their second album – in its entirety.
One of Australia’s most influential post-punk bands, The Scientists are no strangers to All Tomorrow’s Parties, having been asked by Mudhoney themselves to perform back in 2007, making their return (and their U.S. debut) in 2010 at New York’s ATP. The grunge forefathers cite The Scientists as a major influence, and they’re sure to shake a few more ears at Release The Bats in Melbourne.
Joining them will be Bristol’s two-piece electro group Fuck Buttons who’ll bring audiences their droney-electro goodness from across the pond. As well as 90s noise rock duo Lightning Bolt, San Jose stoner rockers Sleep, and the neo-psychedelic ambience of UK’s Forest Swords.
Joining the impressive list of international acts are a host of left-of-centre Australian acts perfectly suited to the unique ATP callcard. Including post-synth-punks Total Control, underground rock act Hoss, the shoegaze attack of White Walls, the freewheeling drawl of The UV Race and last but not least, The Spinning Rooms.
The one-day festival takes place on Saturday October 26th 2013, starting from midday and runs until 1am, headliners will finish by 11pm with around 14 acts in total set to play live.
Returning to the indoor/outdoor environs of the Westgate Entertainment Centre and Grand Star Reception – just a stones throw from the CBD in Altona – after its successful run hosting the recent I’ll Be Your Mirror Melbourne. And as organisers promise wryly, “no – it won’t be as hot as last time.”
Again, there will be two stages, a cinema, art exhibition, and an amazing food court with the event limited to just 5,000 attendees. With the extracurricular highlight of I’ll Be Your Mirror, Pricasso, returning to paint some special Halloween portraits in his own inimitable style (hint: he doesn’t use his hands).
If Release The Bats is anything like it’s Drones-curated forebear, which had our Tone Deaf reviewer raving: “Was it all a dream? Bizarrely it wasn’t… a weekend of impeccably selected music, food, film, and culture.” Then music lovers are in for a Halloween-themed heaven.
Tickets are priced at the ridiculously reasonable price of $150 (+ booking fee) and go on sale this Wednesday at 9am from www.atpfestival.com
Check out the lineup, info, and the awesome poster art by Camille Rose Garcia below
ATP Release The Bats 2013 Lineup
The Breeders performing Last Splash (only Victorian show)
The Jesus Lizard (only Victorian show)
The Scientists
F*ck Buttons
Lightning Bolt
Sleep
Forest Swords
Total Control
Hoss
The UV Race
White Walls
The Spinning Rooms
+ more to be announced
ATP Release The Bats 2013 Info
October 26th 2013
Westgate Entertainment Centre and Grand Star Reception
Altona, Melbourne, Victoria
Tickets are $150 + booking fee and go on sale this Wednesday at 9am
